Port Jervis man charged with sexual assault of a 5-year-old

GOSHEN - A Port Jervis man was arraigned Tuesday in Orange County Court on charges of subjecting a 5-year-old child to sexual acts.

William Mendez, 33, was arraigned before Judge Nicholas De Rosa on felony counts including predatory sexual assault against a child and first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child. The top count carries a minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a maximum of 25 years to life.

Assistant District Attorney Bradford White told the judge that Mendez abused the child in his apartment on about 20 occasions, and that there are video and audio recordings of Mendez making admissions to two incidents.

Mendez’s lawyer, Michael Meth, entered a “not guilty” plea on behalf of his client. Meth told the judge there are “serious issues” with the evidence prosecutors plan to offer; he said a psychologist who examined Mendez is willing to testify as to the “coercive environment” during questioning of his client as well as issues with his client’s limited mental capacity and language barrier.

De Rosa set bail at $100,000 cash or $250,000 bond. Mendez, who remains jailed, returns to court on Jan. 23.